Who Do You Fear?

Humans are emotional creatures, from sadness to happiness, joy, anger, bitterness, sorrow, and fear. If we were to rate human emotions in terms of their value in our culture today, happiness would be at the top. Our culture declares that the chief end of man is to be happy. It does not matter how destructive, harmful, or the long-term consequences of their decisions, as long as it makes them happy we should support it. This is the fleeting wisdom of the self-esteem movement, and it has only led to greater discontentment and despair. 

In reality, the most powerful emotion that influences and controls much of our lives is fear. Just search the ever-growing list of phobias people struggle with. At the top of the list are usually public speaking, heights, loneliness, sickness, and death. Many fear rejection, failure, change, and vulnerability. 

Those who are driven and successful can also be controlled by fear. The need to be successful and impress others with money or self-image is another sign of caring too much about what others think. 

The Bible says, Proverbs 1:7, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.” Proverbs 29:25,"The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe.”

In Luke 12:1-7, Jesus confronts the power of fear. Jesus tells his disciples who they should not fear and who they should fear. The implications of these truths will set you free.